Archive for the 'Jack Del Rio' Tag Under 'USC' Category

Former Trojans coach Pete Carroll will not attend Saturday’s halftime ceremony honoring the newest inductees into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame.

Carroll’s Seattle Seahawks have a bye this week. He declined an interview request through a Seahawks spokesman, who said Carroll was “traveling.” He is expected to attend the induction dinner in May.

Another inductee, former linebacker Jack Del Rio, will attend the halftime ceremony – and probably have come to the game anyway. Del Rio’s son, Luke Del Rio, is a backup quarterback for Oregon State. Jack Del Rio is the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos, who also have a bye this week.

DEL RIO: ''I can honestly say that was handled in the proper way. They contacted the Broncos. They got permission, and we did it in a manner where they came out here and visited with me during our bye week so it wouldn’t disrupt anything. That’s what took place.

''Now, my job continues, and my focus is here. It’s an honor, obviously, to even be in consideration for something like that. But I also feel very honored to be here and be the defensive coordinator and interim head coach for the Denver Broncos. So all of my attention, all of my efforts and energies, are going into the Denver Broncos right now.

''Down the road, who knows where that goes. But that’s certainly not anything that needs to be discussed, other than, is it true? Yes, it did occur. But that’s really it. I’m acknowledging, absolutely it did. It was handled in a professional manner. And now my attention is completely with helping this football team be prepared.''

Would USC hire a former All-America linebacker with no previous college coaching experience?

Jack Del Rio, the Denver Broncos’ interim coach and a standout linebacker for the Trojans in the mid-80s, interviewed with Athletic Director Pat Haden this month, the Broncos confirmed to multiple outlets Sunday.

Del Rio, now 50, was the MVP of USC’s 1985 Rose Bowl victory, then played 12 seasons in the NFL before he started his coaching career in 1997. Del Rio had a 68-71 record in nine seasons as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, but has never worked within a college program.

According to the Broncos, Haden asked for permission to speak with Del Rio, even though athletic directors are free to contact professional coaches without asking. Fox Sports first reported news of the interview.

Haden and Del Rio spoke on Nov. 1, during the Broncos’ bye week, the team said. The next day, Denver coach John Fox fell ill, and Del Rio soon took over as interim coach, a job he is expected to hold through the rest of the season. Del Rio would not be able to leave his job until after the Super Bowl.

Denver Broncos defensive coordinator, a former USC All-America linebacker now considered a prospective candidate to be the Trojans’ next coach, told Denver reporters that he had not yet been contacted by USC.

``No. No. No, there’s nothing to speak on that subject,’’ said Del Rio, who declared neither interest nor disinterest in the job. Denver coach John Fox said Del Rio would be ``definitely qualified’’ for the USC job.

UCLA has hired former Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks head coach Jim Mora as the Bruins' next head football coach.

Mora, 50, and UCLA agreed to terms Friday night and the current NFL Network analyst will be formally introduced as Rick Neuheisel's replacement as early as Saturday.

Mora emerged as a candidate late last week after Boise State's Chris Petersen, UCLA's first choice, turned down a five-year deal worth more than $3-million annually.

UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero interviewed Houston coach Kevin Sumlin in Texas last Saturday. Sumlin, however,chose to pursue the Texas A&M post and potentially other coaching options after meeting with Guerrero over the weekend. UCLA also contacted Miami coach Al Golden late last week. Golden has since informed UCLA officials he is not interested in the Bruin job. Cincinnati coach Butch Jones, high on UCLA's original list, said on Tuesday he plans to stay at the Big East school.

"All of those things are manufactured," Del Rio told WJXT of Jacksonville. "The only thing I can tell you is I've been busy working on the Jaguars for 2010. We're busy at work, trying to build this thing strong."

Pro Football Talk reported Monday that Del Rio had already begun calling coaches to become assistants with him at USC.

Del Rio, who has $15 million and three year remaining on his contract, plans to meet with Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver later today.

Del Rio was a linebacker for the Trojans in the early 80s but has never been a college coach.